Car crashes through Franklin Square shopping center

by Matt Hampton

An out-of-control Pontiac sedan drove through the front wall of a nail salon in Franklin Square, injuring three and sending a shopping center on Dogwood Avenue into a panic on Monday afternoon.

Fifth Precinct police were still sorting out the damage and trying to figure out what caused the incident as of press time on Monday, but the sidewalks and glass front walls of the New Wonder Nail Salon were a scene of absolute carnage.

According to police and people on the scene, a silver Pontiac lost control and smashed through the front of the salon, tearing through windows and doors, desks and chairs before finally colliding with the rear wall of the store and stopping completely.

The Franklin Square/Munson Fire Department sent emergency responders to the scene, and officers from the Fifth Precinct showed up minutes after the incident to help rescue three patrons.

Little information was available from local police as of press time, but at least one person on the scene reported that three people were seriously injured in the incident and taken to Winthrop Hospital. Their condition was not released as of press time.

After clearing the scene of much of the dangerous debris, firefighters checked the structural integrity of the building and cleared local shoppers and store employees at other businesses to go back to work.

In addition to the nail salon, the shopping center houses a bank, a UPS store, a Dunkin' Donuts and other shops.